Bootlegproof oil can



April 2, 1940. c. M. WILLIAMS ET AL BOOTLEGPROOF 0 IL CAN Filed June 18, 1937 gvwcmim Cher/5M VV/LL/AMS,

IG'EOEGEZLWNDOBE Patented Apr. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES B OTLE GPRO OF OIL CAN Curtis M. Williams and George L'Van Doren,

' Phoenix, AI'iZ.

Application June 18, 1937, Serial No. 148,992

Claims.

This invention relates to bootlegproof oil cans,

, although notlimited to the can contents, which may obiously be of various substances or fluids.

It has been found that in some instances cans 5 of ordinary construction after removal of their original contents and upon being discarded are refilled with an inferior material or fluid of the same general nature, whereupon the removed cover is replaced by a new one which is secured in position by soldering or crimping and the refilled can then be resold for the original.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a can which structurally prevents this deceptive practice by deforming portions adjacent the ends of the can so that upon removal of either end cover of the can, it will be impossible to crimp or solder or otherwise secure a fresh cover onto the can without indicating to the purchaser that the original can has been tampered with.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a can of this type having the characteristics above mentioned, which can be easily and economically produced.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the can embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section of a modified form of the invention.

In proceeding in accordance with the present invention the can, designated by the numeral at each nd thereof has indentations 2 which lie closely adjacent to the covers 3 of the can. These indentations may extend interiorly of the can as shown in Fig. 2 or exteriorly thereof as shown at 4 in Fig. 3. In any-event the indentations literally form corrugations or undulations and may be of any form desired, their shape being entirely immaterial so long as they perform or preserve the object of the invention, which is to leave an irregular or jagged edge at the ends of the can body upon removal of the original cover.

It is, especially to be noted that these indenta tions occur ateach end of the can body for a purpose shortly to be described.

The bootlegger whoacquires the empty or dis carded cans then fills same with an inferior quality of the same variety of the original contents. It will be now noted that in order to apply a new or fresh to-p or cover to the can it is necessary to cut the can along either the lines 6 and l in order to remove the deformations, so that a tight or leak-proof joint can be made between a new cover and the end of the can from which the original cover has been removed to simulate the original joint. Otherwise an irregular orv jagged surface or edge would result due to the presence of the indentations 2 which would make 5 it impossible, without indicating tampering, to reseal the can with a new or fresh top and obtain a leak-proof joint. If cutting along lines 6 or 1 is resorted to, it will be noted that the can will consequently be shorter in length which 10 signifies to the purchaser that the original can has been tampered with. Moreover by having the rows of indentations at each end of the can and by warning placed on the can by the manufacturer that the original can. bears a row of in- 15 dentations at each end thereof, the purchaser will be cautioned that the original can has been tampered with.

What is claimed is: a

l. A can having a plurality of spaced deformations disposed circumferentially therearound at each end of the body thereof and covers for the ends of the can, said deformations being located in such position with respect to the covers so that upon removal of either of the covers from the ends of the can body the deformations will prevent the application of a fresh cover without removal thereof, thus shortening the length of the can and thereby indicating that same has been tampered with.

2. A can having a plurality of spaced deformations disposed circumferentially therearound at each end of the body thereof andcovers for each end of the can, said deformations being located closely adjacent to the covers and constituting depressed portions so that upon re-- moval of either of the covers from the ends of the can body the deformations will prevent the application of a fresh cover without removal thereof, thus shortening the length of the can and thereby indicating that same has been tampared with.

.3. A can having a plurality of spaced deforma tions disposed circumferentially therearound at each end of the body thereof and covers for each I end of the can, said deformations being closely adjacent to the covers and. constituting outwardly extending portions so that upon removal of either of the covers from the ends of the can body the deformations will prevent the application of a fresh cover without removal thereof,

thus shortening the'length of the can and thereby indicating that same has been tampered with; ,4. A can having a body provided with a closure, rigidly connected to each end thereof, and

a series of indentations at each end of the body located in such position with respect to the closures and of such length axially of the body so that upon cutting to remove either closure and indentations, the subsequent application of a new closure will indicate tampering by shortening the length thereof; or by cutting to remove either closure will leave such parts of the indentations to remain that a new closure could not be applied to form a leak-proof joint without indicating such to a subsequent purchaser. 

